Ribbed expanded metal



Aug. 26, 1924.

D. K. FORSYTH RIBBED EXPANDED METAL Filed July 17 1922 2 Shoots-Shoot l 1/, II 'II II r11 III III 4 '01 0/1 6 1 ll I N VEN TOR. Z021 Zms Kfirgfi ATTORNEY' 1,506,296 D. K. FORSYTH RIBBED EXPANDED METAL Filed July 17 1922 2 Shoots-Shut 2 INVENTOR. Fwy/as fifnyf/T M v 6% ATTORN 6 Aug. 26, 1924.

Patented Aug. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES DOUGLAS K. FORSYTH, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO WILLIAM S. LO'WRIE, OF AKRON, OHIO, AND ONE-THIRD TO ROBERT R. WATT, OF MASSILLON,

OHIO.

PATET FFICE.

RIBBED EXPANDED METAL.

Application filed July 17, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DOUGLAS K. FORSYTH, a subject of the King of England and a Canadian citizen, and a resident of Youngstown, county of Mahoning, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ribbed Expanded Metal, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present invention relates to expanded metal suitable for lath or as reinforcement for concrete or cement work. In the present lath construction, the finished mesh is provided with portions which are below the plane of the metal, so as to provide vertical depth and strength. The depth portions are loops so that there are no rough ends and by forming such loops the metal does not warp easily. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the steps and means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain means and one mode of carrying out the invention, such disclosed means and mode illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an expanded sheet; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same; ig. 3 is a top plan view of a sheet which has been slit but not expanded; Fig. & is a cross sectional view of the sheet after corrugating; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of metal mesh; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a sheet slit but not expanded; and Fig. 8 is a cross section of the sheet ready for slitting and expand- The present mesh is made from a metal sheet 1 of any suitable size and gauge and the sheet is slit, the slits running longitudinally of the sheet and being cut in pairs. As shown in Fig. 3 at the left of the figure, there are a series of pairs of slits 2, which are of half length and end in uncut or unslit portions 10. Between the pairs of slits 2 are a second series of slits 3 also in pairs Serial No. 575,519.

which are twice as long as the half slits 2 and these end in the uncut portions 10. In the same longitudinal line as the slits 2 are other similar pairs of slits 2 2, etc., while in the line with slits 3 are similar pairs of slits 3, 3 etc.

Each pair of slits 3, 3 form a single longitudinally extending strap 13 connected at its ends to the uncut portions of the metal. The pairs of slits 2, 2*, etc., form short or half length straps 12 which are connected at their ends to the uncut portions 10 but these straps are only half the length of the straps 13 which extend diagonally lengthwise of the diamonds when expanded.

After being slit, the sheet is corrugated as shown in Fig. 4, all of the straps 12 being turned into a vertical plane while the straps 13 are left in horizontal planes, but adjacent straps are in two horizontal planes. The sheets are then expanded to form the diamond mesh and the short straps 12 form the sides of the diamonds, the diagonal straps 13 being bowed down below the plane of the sheet to give vertical depth and strength to the metal. No metal is cut out or wasted although the sheet is of course shortened. 'When thus expanded, the uncut portions 10 are formed into cup shaped connecting portions 5 having two sides 6 formed by the vertically extending connecting parts 7 of the straps 12 with bottom 8 or a top 9 which is the uncut portion between each two longitudinally adjacent strips 13.

In the form shown imFigs. 5 to 8, the same type of pairs of slits are employed, there being one series 22, 22 etc. and a second series 23, 23, etc., to form the half length strips 32 and the diagonal strips 33 just as in the previous form. Instead of being formed from a fiat sheet, 2. rolled sheet is used having a base portion 34 and a series of upstanding ribs or corrugations 35, the slits being along the sides of the corrugations or ribs to form them into the vertical strips 32, leaving the flat base portions to form the strips 33.

When expanded the metal is similar to the form first shown, except the cups 36 or uncut connecting portions are all open in one direction as clearly shown in Fig. 5 instead of having the cups alternating as in the metal shown in Fig. 1. In this form (Fig.

1) the cups in each longitudinal row and in each transverse row are all open in the same direction, but adjacent rows of cups in both directions are reversed as to direction of opening.

It is of course obvious that the form of ribs such as are shown as rolled into the sheet in Fig. 8 may be varied for various purposes and their dimensions will also vary according to the use to which the metal will be put. The slitting may be accomplished in any satisfactory Way and the corrugating may be done before or after slitting, it being onlynecessary to have a sheet which is both slit and corrugated, or slit and preformed with ribs, and which is then expanded. In expanding, the diagonal strips 13 or 33 may all be bowed in one direction or they might be reversed. The bowing takes up the lon gitudinal contraction of the sheet and at the same time adds vertical depth and stiffness to the metal. It obviates cutting out any metal from the sheet and the width of the strips 12 and 13 will determine the strength as well as the guage of the sheets employed.

The slitting and corrugating operations are easily made and no special dies are necessary as where portions of the sheet must be cut or punched out. The present type of metal can easily be made in any desired guage and the width of the strips may be varied to suit the metal to different uses.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of i the one explained, chan e being made as regards the means and t e steps herein disclosed, provided those stated by any one of the following claims or their equivalents be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. An expanded metal mesh comprising metal strips arranged in diamond mesh, the strips forming the sides of the diamond being arranged vertically, and connectin strips lengthwise of the diamonds arrange horizontally, the connecting portions forming open ended cups, the longitudinal con necting strips being bowed out of the plane of the mesh to add vertical depth to the reinforcement.

2. An expanded metal mesh comprising metal strips arranged in diamond mesh, the strips forming the sides of the diamond being arranged vertically, and connecting strips lengthwise of the diamonds arranged horizontally, the connecting portions forming open ended cups, the longitudinal connecting strips being bowed down below the plane of the mesh to add vertical depth to the reinforcement.

3. An expanded metal mesh comprising metal strips arranged in diamond mesh, the strips forming the sides of the diamond, being arranged vertically, and connecting strips lengthwise of the diamonds arranged horizontally, the connecting portion forming open ended cups, the longitudinal connecting strips being bowed down below the plane of the mesh to add vertical depth to the reinforcement, all such cups in the same longitudinal and transverse lines being open in the same direction, but cups in adjacentlongitudinal and transverse hnes being open in the opposite direction.

Signed by me this 13th day of July, 1922.

DOUGLAS K. FORSYTH. 

